Well, I would listen to someone who recommends Ridge Racer 6. I was thinking it was no more than just the PSP version. Until I played the demo. For some reason, that little extra it does beyond the PSP version just makes it seem like quite possibly the best Ridge Racer game. That's definitely on my list of "must gets".
Namco did good by putting up the free demo on Marketplace.
I've been hearing from other Top Spin fans saying that Top Spin 2 is a definite improvement over the first one, and I'm all over that.
Also, in recent news the 360 Live update brought some new games and improvements on the backward compatibility list. Of course, the significant thing for me is Winning Eleven *freaking* 9. I was waiting for that to happen. Glad it didn't take long.
(Yeah yeah, and Ninja Gaiden Black supposedly runs well now, too.)
Live Arcade is definitely the easy icing on the cake. Something makes me not want to say it's a main reason; however, they picked an addictive set of games to put on there; and some do qualify as quality titles right with new good releases. The return of quality shooters, and insurance that puzzlers will always have their place, too. Achievement points, more or less, has brought back something players are going for that they haven't for years. Players who play for scores, or best of anything in a game outside of just seeing some ending. Anything that goes the extra mile to promote mastery of a game, and playing it for that extra amount, is good practice in my book.
Especially in Xbox Live Arcade, I leave my rankings on Friends-list rankings, so I can always keep tabs on what I need to do to get first. Hopeing Magician might consider some Astro Pop, as it'll take a while before I can trump his Bejewled 2 score. Plus, something competitive in the Magical Drop/Money Exchanger game style might be good.
Joust is kicking my butt, though. Strange, as all the other versions seemed to be easier to beat, in my book. But the default level of Joust for the Live Arcade is a step above the defaults in most arcade conversions I've played up to this point.
Right now. Oblivion is sucking away many people's time away from other things.